Role

:

Composer Conductor

Birth

:

1931

Death

:

March 5, 2003

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Opera

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Gerhard Rosenfeld was a German composer and pianist who was born on January 12, 1925, in Berlin, Germany. He was the son of a Jewish family and grew up in a musical household. His father was a violinist and his mother was a pianist, and they both encouraged their son's musical talents from a young age. Rosenfeld began playing the piano at the age of four and showed a natural talent for the instrument. He studied piano with several renowned teachers, including Walter Gieseking and Edwin Fischer. He also studied composition with Paul Hindemith and Boris Blacher. During World War II, Rosenfeld was drafted into the German army and served on the Eastern Front. He was captured by the Soviet army in 1945 and spent several years as a prisoner of war. During this time, he continued to compose music and even gave concerts for his fellow prisoners. After his release from captivity, Rosenfeld returned to Berlin and resumed his musical career. He became a professor of piano at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin and also worked as a freelance composer and pianist. Rosenfeld's music is characterized by its lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and intricate rhythms. He was influenced by a wide range of musical styles, including classical, jazz, and folk music. His compositions include works for solo piano, chamber ensembles, orchestra, and choir. One of Rosenfeld's most famous works is his Piano Concerto No. 1, which was premiered in 1956 by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. The concerto is a virtuosic showcase for the solo piano, with sweeping melodies and complex rhythms. It has been performed by many of the world's leading pianists, including Martha Argerich and Vladimir Ashkenazy. Another notable work by Rosenfeld is his String Quartet No. 1, which was premiered in 1962 by the Amadeus Quartet. The quartet is a hauntingly beautiful work, with lush harmonies and intricate counterpoint. It has become a staple of the chamber music repertoire and is frequently performed by string quartets around the world. Rosenfeld also wrote several works for choir, including his Requiem for the Victims of War and Oppression, which was premiered in 1970 by the Berlin Radio Choir. The requiem is a powerful and moving work, with soaring melodies and poignant harmonies. It has been performed by many choirs around the world and is considered one of Rosenfeld's most important works. In addition to his work as a composer, Rosenfeld was also a respected pianist. He gave many concerts throughout his career, both as a soloist and as a chamber musician. He was known for his sensitive and expressive playing, and his performances were always highly acclaimed. Rosenfeld continued to compose and perform music well into his later years. He died on December 28, 2017, at the age of 92. His legacy as a composer and pianist lives on through his many recordings and the continued performances of his music by musicians around the world.

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